White Rock business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply

Do I need a business licence in White Rock, and how do I get one?

White Rock, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Yes. Anyone carrying on a business in the City of White Rock needs a valid City business licence: any activity for gain or profit, including professional or personal services, registered not-for-profits and residential rentals. Apply online through the MyWhiteRock portal; the licence is emailed once approved.

Key facts

Who needs one	Anyone carrying on a business in White Rock needs a valid licence: any activity for gain or profit, including professional or personal services, registered not-for-profits and residential rentals. Exempt: letting a room where not more than two rooms are available, and some non-resident businesses (such as commercial travellers selling to merchants for resale).Business Licences and Permits, When do you need; Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), s. 2; Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), s. 5(b); Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), s. 4(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording If you are doing an activity of any kind or nature that is for the purpose of gain or profit including but not limited to: providing professional, personal or other services, registered not for profits, or residential rentals No person shall carry on a business within the City of White Rock without holding a No licence is required for the business of letting or renting a room where not Bona Fide, Commercial travelers offering for sale or selling goods, wares or
Fee	Set by group in Schedule A of the Business Licence Bylaw, per licence period: Group 1 (e.g. professionals) $320 plus $25 per employee; Group 2 $150 plus $25; Group 3 $105 plus $25; Group 5 (any business not named elsewhere) $150 plus $25 per employee. Group 4 has flat fees. 10% discount if paid before the licence period starts.Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), Sch. A Group 1; Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), Sch. A Group 2; Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), Sch. A Group 3; Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), Sch. A Group 5; Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), s. 9(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording the fee for each licence period shall be $320.00 plus $25.00 for each For the following, the fee for each licence period shall be $150.00 plus $25.00 for each employee. the fee for each licence shall be $105.00 plus $25.00 for each employee. The fee for each licence period shall be: $150.00 plus $25.00 for each employee. they will receive a 10% discount on that business licence
How to apply	Apply online through the MyWhiteRock portal. First check that the Zoning Bylaw allows your business at the location; a building permit may be needed first. Staff review the application, and a Fire Department and Building Official inspection may be required. Once approved, the licence is emailed.Business Licences and Permits, How do you obtain; Inspections - Business Licence · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording The City of White Rock, through the MyWhiteRock has an online portal for submitting your business licence application. an inspection may be required from White Rock Fire Department and a City Building Official Once your business licence has been approved, it will be emailed directly to you. If you have submitted a completed business licence application and are looking to book an inspection, please email licences@whiterockcity.ca
Renewal	Licences last one year and expire on the anniversary of the day issued. Renew annually through MyWhiteRock; notices go out a month before. Renewing before the anniversary gives a 10% discount. A licence not renewed by the anniversary expires.Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), s. 8(a); Business Licences and Permits, Renewals · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording are valid for one (1) year and will expire on the same day Notices for renewals are sent out a month in advance of your anniversary date If you do not renew your business licence on or before the anniversary date the business licence will expire.
Inter-community licence	Only for transportation network services (ride-hailing): White Rock has an intermunicipal TNS business licence bylaw, and a TNS business holding an Inter-Municipal Business Licence for the Region 1 area is exempt from White Rock's licence. No general inter-community licence found.Bylaws, Bylaws list; Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), s. 4(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Intermunicipal Transportation Network Service (TNS) Business Licence Bylaw 2473 Any Transportation Network Services business that is in receipt of an Inter-
Fine	$200 per day for operating without a business licence; $150 for failing to display the licence; $500 per day for operating while the licence is suspended (ticket under the Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw).Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw 1929 (PDF, consolidated November 2024), Schedule B2; Business Licences and Permits, Renewals · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Operate without a business licence Sec. 2 $200 per day Failure to display business licence Sec. 10 $150.00 Operate business while licence is under suspension Sec 16 $500.00 per day Operating a business without a valid licence may result in a fine of $200 per day.
Bylaw	White Rock Business Licence Bylaw, 1997, No. 1510Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording White Rock Business Licence By-law, 1997, No. 1510 Consolidated as of April 2020

How it works

Under Business Licence Bylaw 1510, anyone carrying on a business in White Rock needs a valid licence. Exempt: letting a room where not more than two rooms are available, and some non-resident businesses, such as commercial travellers selling to merchants for resale. The bylaw has further exemptions (sections 4 and 5).

Steps

Check that the Zoning Bylaw allows your business at the location. A building permit may be needed first.
Apply online through the MyWhiteRock portal.
Staff review the application. A Fire Department and Building Official inspection may be required. Email licences@whiterockcity.ca to book one. Inspections are scheduled Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings, and the business must be set up first.
Once approved, the licence is emailed to you.
Renew each year through MyWhiteRock. Notices go out a month before.

Good to know

Renewing before the anniversary, or paying before the licence period starts, earns a 10% discount. A licence not renewed by the anniversary expires.
The fee schedule is from the April 2020 consolidation of Bylaw 1510 and may be out of date. Ask the Business Licence office, 604-541-2139, for current fees.
Inter-community licence: the only one found covers transportation network services (ride-hailing). A business holding an Inter-Municipal Business Licence for the Region 1 area is exempt from White Rock's licence. No general inter-community licence was found.
Tickets under Bylaw 1929: operating without a licence is $200 per day; failing to display the licence is $150; operating while the licence is suspended is $500 per day. Bylaw 1510 still shows an older $75 notice, so confirm the current amount.

What you'll need

A floor plan of the business
A trade qualification ticket, if you are a licensed contractor

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Surrey · Langley City · Township of Langley · Delta · New Westminster · Burnaby

Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Business Licences and Permits, City of White Rock (read 2026-11-05)
Inspections - Business Licence, City of White Rock (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaws, City of White Rock (read 2026-11-05)
Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), City of White Rock (read 2026-11-05)
Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw 1929 (PDF, consolidated November 2024), City of White Rock (read 2026-11-05)

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